Shortly after moving to Rochester in 2004, I was having a conversation with an old friend in Boston, our former home, and had the following exchange:

Me: “So, check this out–there’s a HUGE WATERFALL in the MIDDLE of the city! In fact there are three!”
Him: “Come on–if there were a huge waterfall in the middle of a significant northeastern city, everyone would know that. Can’t be.”
Me: “Uhh, but… what I’m saying is, there’s a huge waterfall in the middle of….”

I’ve actually met people from Rochester who’ve never seen these wonders, and it’s a crime.

Google “cities with waterfalls,” and you know what you get? Nothing! Well virtually nothing, and truly nothing east of the Mississippi. Google tells me that Minneapolis has Minnehaha Falls, which is about 50′ tall and maybe 15′ wide. Which, if you have no waterfalls anywhere nearby, is very nice. But, if you have High Falls and Lower Falls both right in your city, you know what Minnehaha Falls is? Lame.

In Rochester, you get a roaring, frothing, murderous river, flinging itself through the middle of the city, then hurtling over a cliff! You know what they have in Syracuse? A creek. Albany has the Hudson, I’ll grant you, but it just kind of sits there like a comatose boa constrictor. That’s how most city rivers are–tame. But High Falls? It’s like the Genesee River’s personal kamikaze mission. You can all but hear it screaming Tora! Tora! Tora! as it plummets into the gorge. If the Hudson and the Mohawk are the Big Men on Campus, the Genesee is the wild-eyed kid from philosophy class who’s training for Seal Team 6.

I know, the river’s a little brown. Grungy even. I’m told most of that brownness is natural, that there’s a lot of “clay particulate” in the Genesee that, by golly, is supposed to be there. And it’s certainly true that the river is oddly hard to see. You’d think there would be lots of brew pubs and restaurant tables facing the falls or hanging over the rapids (the Dinosaur has exactly one table with a decent view of the river, and it’s ON the river), but for some reason there aren’t.

But, fellow Rochesterians and lovers of the waterfall, you can do it yourself. Head down to High Falls–today!–park in that cool little neighborhood, and take a shuffle across the lithe-if-unpronounceable Pont de Rennes bridge. Or, park by the Maplewood Rose Garden and stroll down the Riverway into the gorge, taking in both Lower and Middle Falls.

With all the dueling press conferences among Bob Duffy, Maggie Brooks and Mark Aesch regarding the controversial RenSquare project, it’s a relief to read some positive news about downtown.

Today’s newspaper and web site reported ”Police pumping up downtown presence”. I’m glad to hear it; not because I think downtown is dangerous; I don’t at all. But because I know so many others who do.

I work downtown. I’m very comfortable walking around here at daylight and in the evening, to attend Geva, RPO, Water Street Music Hall, Red Wings and Amerks games, go to dinner, etc. I’ve been approached on occasion by panhandlers, but usually on my lunch hour; only one time can I recall being approached at night. And when I said “no” and kept walking, I was left alone. Certainly the panhandling is no worse than other much larger cities that I’ve visited — in fact it appears to be less here.

Yes, I know that on occasion cars get broken into, and there have been occasional assaults or worse. But the vast majority of violence happens outside the downtown area.

But I’m still glad that more police are patrolling; their visible presence will be a deterrent, and most importantly, it will help my friends who don’t work downtown and live in the suburbs, to feel safer about coming down at night. Kudos to Duffy and Police Chief David Moore for making this happen.

One more thing: This past Friday night, my husband and I, along with editor Karen Magnuson and her husband, took in the laser light show at High Falls, after a wonderful dinner at Triphammer Grill. From our table outside, we also could see the lighting of the Genesee Beer & Ale sign. It was the first time in more than 40 years that the sign had been lit. It’s great that the brewery’s new owner, North American Breweries, recognizes how Rochesterians still love the history of that brewery. And if you’ve never seen the light show at the falls, take it in. It’s a fun, feel-good musical. It will make you feel proud to live here.

Editorial Board

has, for the past 18 years as Editorial Page editor, been responsible for producing more than 5,100 daily Editorial and Speaking Out pages. He started his journalism career in Cleveland shortly after graduating from Howard University in Washington, D.C. Along the way, he has had career stops in Denver, Orlando, Fla., and White Plains. But unquestionably, he says, some of his most rewarding years as a journalist have been here in Rochester, being a part of positive change. That change has included reforms that followed an aggressive "Challenging Albany" campaign, greater public awareness and pushback against the coarsening of our culture, and strides being made to make this region a destination community.

I joined the Democrat and Chronicle in December 2011 as digital opinion editor, a position that combines traditional editorial responsibilities with the fostering and promotion of online conversation across a number of digital platforms and social media.

I bring to the position some 25 years of media experience in the Rochester-Finger Lakes region, having served as managing editor at Messenger Post Media, where I wrote columns, editorials and blogs, among an array of other newsroom duties.

I'm a lifelong New Yorker who has called Long Island, the North Country and, now, western New York home.

When I'm not in a newsroom or in front of a computer, I'm usually enjoying time with family or lost in a book.

became editor of community partnerships and niche content in November 2011, a position new to the Democrat and Chronicle. She is charged with increasing community engagement across all platforms, web and print. Sutter also has served as deputy editorial page editor, managing editor and general manager/custom content at the Democrat and Chronicle. She has worked as a reporter or editor for newspapers in Iowa, Illinois, Florida, South Carolina and Elmira, where she was executive editor of the Star-Gazette. She holds a master's degree in media management and a bachelor of journalism degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism.

I have been with the Democrat and Chronicle since 2006, when I was hired as letters editor. In 2008, I shifted into the role of community conversation coordinator. Most of my time on the job is spent reading and editing the thousands of letters to the editor we receive each year. I love learning about a wide variety of subjects every day while fact-checking letters. Aside from editing the letters, I also monitor reader comments posted on our website, and write editorials, blog posts and tweets.

I am a lifelong reader of the D&C, so I’m particularly honored to lend my voice to the Editorial Board. As a registered conservative and strong advocate of free market economics, it is likely that I will bring an alternate view to the discussion, so I applaud the D&C for asking me aboard.

My passion about economics and politics first emanated from our family dinner-table discussions growing up in Brighton, where no topic was off limits. After graduating from Brighton High School and then from Middlebury College as an economics major, I started my career with Case Hoyt, a once nationally recognized printing company based in Rochester. I relocated to Philadelphia, Washington and then Boston to attend Harvard Business School before happily moving back home just as my wife and I were starting a family.

I have actively engaged in various volunteer leadership roles at the Wilmot Cancer, St. Thomas More Church and now Rochester Prep Charter School and the Kilian Schmitt Foundation.

Personally, my wife, Caroline, and I have three grown children who have all left the area for college as well as to start their work careers.

I have lived in Rochester, both in the city and the suburbs, for most of my life. I have a degree from Roberts Wesleyan College in religion and philosophy, and I currently work for the Volunteers of America as a case manager for families who receive the Shelter Plus Care housing grant.

I live in the town of Chili with my husband and my sons, Gavin and Troy. Spending time with them is my favorite thing to do. My husband, Scott, owns a small sales and marketing company.

I love Rochester and am actively involved in the community. I serve on several boards and committees, including the Chili Parks and Recreation Committee. Recently I accepted the role of president of the Monroe County Republican Women (a non party-funded organization). Lastly, I am the director of The Bridge, a developing nonprofit that promotes sustainable homeless outreach efforts and organizes bipartisan discussions on issues related to poverty.

I am passionate about seeking out lasting solutions to poverty and bridging the political and cultural gaps. Find me on Twitter (@annaiseman), Facebook, or in future D&C discussions.

Board of Contributors

I manage an educational project for RIT, and teach as an adjunct professor at Nazareth College and the Warner School of Education. In an earlier life, I directed a modern dance company and worked as a teaching artist in schools. I hold a PhD in education with a focus on arts, curriculum and teaching. My areas of interest are education, politics and the arts. I plan to share perspectives on the current changes taking place in the field of education, and have a special interest in political art. I hope to stimulate good discussions in these areas through blogging and guest interviews.

My name is Makenzie Marino and I'm a 16-year-old junior at Our Lady of Mercy High School. I've been writing since I was 7. Writing is my passion; it's the way I express myself and my creativity. As a member of the board I hope to educate people in Rochester on events going on in our area and also bring to people's attention topics that maybe they'd look over otherwise. Also, I hope to learn things myself and be educated by other board members, and by visitors that will be showing up to the meetings. I hope to bring forth positive energy and educate people around me.

I was born and raised in central New York. I earned a bachelor's degree from SUNY Brockport, and now gladly call the Flower City home. I’m a married mother of three young children who keep me on my toes. I write a Blog, From Playgrounds to Politics, which often focuses on hot-button topics as well as about parenting, education, current events, political punditry and entertainment news. I have blogged for the Democrat and Chronicle for several years, focusing local issues and public schools. Follow me on Twitter @Mango1531. As a Board of Contributors member, I hope to write in no-holds-barred style about social topics within our community.

I’m a transplanted New Englander, who has resided with my family in Rochester’s 19th Ward for over 20 years. I left a career in book publishing when I moved from the Boston area, and then got my master’s in education at Nazareth College. I have taught in local schools and am currently an adjunct teacher at The Strong’s National Museum of Play. I write fiction and memoir, volunteer in my neighborhood library, love to travel, coordinate an Exploring Post in health careers, and am a staunch advocate for children.

I retired as Rochester’s commissioner of Community Development in 2009. I’m the co-founder of Eugenio María de Hostos Charter School and serve as the volunteer CEO/chairman of the board. I also serve on five other boards. I was president and CEO of Ibero-American action League from 1993 to 2006. From 1987 to 1990, I owned and operated a Super Duper in the city, and worked briefly as a Spanish teacher. I have a bachelor of science degree in social service administration from SUNY Empire State College and a master’s degree in education from The College at Brockport. I am the author of “Journey of Puerto Rican Jíbaro,” a memoir.

As a life-long resident of Rochester, I am honored and humbled to be selected for the Board of Contributors. It is my hope that through this forum, I will have the opportunity to engage in dialogue that will uplift, inspire and challenge others to contribute to the economic, social, emotional/mental and spiritual health needs of Monroe County’s neediest residents. It is disheartening to me that Rochester is one of the poorest cities in this nation. We all have a part in this universe to offer a hand up and not a hand out. I’m married to my high school sweetheart and we are blessed to share three awesome children.

I work as a shipping and receiving clerk in Rochester. I look forward to being on the Board of Contributors and taking part in discussions of issues facing Rochester in 2014. I intend to add a pragmatic, moderate voice and concentrate on solutions and successes. Beyond the liberal/conservative gridlock there are pragmatic solutions upon which a majority can agree. The moderate majority is not as vocal as extremists to the left and right and this makes moderates easy to ignore. I look forward to being part of the Democrat and Chronicle's effort to contribute to the quality of life in this community.

I grew up in the Rochester area, attended PS35, graduated from Brighton High School, then attended SUNY College at Geneseo and the University of Chicago and earned his PhD at Northwestern University. A lifelong educator, child advocate and bestselling author of books and articles on leadership, collaboration, and education reform, I’ve been a middle school teacher, high school coach, school board member, college professor, dean of education at four universities, distinguished visiting scholar, community-based and regional nonprofit executive, education advisor to Chicago Mayor Harold Washington, member of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission, and associate superintendent of education for the State of Ohio. I currently am vice president for community programs at the Rochester Area Community Foundation.

As an active Community Member on the Democrat and Chronicle Editorial Board in 2013, and a division sales manager of a consumer company prior to that, I hope to stay involved with current events on the Board of Contributors, weighing in with my unique perspective on issues and headlines in 2014. A former United States Marine Corps Officer, and current retired "East Side Suburbanite," I feel that my "conservative-leaning" voice represents a part of the community that deserves to be heard.

I am a lay associate pastor at Spiritus Christi Church and a nurse of 28 years. In my role as associate pastor, I lead racial justice work, welcome new members and facilitate diversity within our ministeries. I am looking forward to being a board contributor so that I might engage in the conversations and topics this community most cares about to forge unity. It is my hope that, together, we join our visions and perspectives to examine what is, and lean in to shape ultimately what could be. If we do that I am hopeful that we will embody the "One City" Rochester mantra we all envision.

I am a third-year journalism and political science student at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Being a native of Rochester has carved within me a passion for urban life and a desire to fully understand the complexity of the many issues Rochesterians face. I care most about education, youth, race and poverty, and have blogged for the Democrat and Chronicle’s Unite Rochester initiative. I am very excited to be offering my voice through the Board of Contributors and I hope to spark some great conversations with the rest of my community.